Are the auto pots a good reliable setup?
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You want @Screwauger
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Yeah they are worth it @Screwauger has done absolutely amazing with them
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@TDubWilly is running auto pots and loves them!
I think @Seeddog runs them also
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Without going into great detail, I’m here to tell you that they are the best way of growing that I have encountered and i have grown a number of different styles, both hydro and soil.
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@semo63936. It’s the best of both worlds . You water like hydro and they grow in soil or coco . Once they are set up and running , it’s a breeze . I clean the reservoir maybe every 3-4 weeks and the valves in the trays 2-3 times throughout the grow running auto flower plants . I really like them but some days it’s gets boring because I don’t have to do anything anymore . You mix your nutrients , PH it and dump it in the reservoir and your done . I recommend using the air domes in the pots also for improved growth . OG Kush
Bubble Gum is coming down tomorrow .
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@Seeddog @TDubWilly how much room do they take up? How big of pots do you guys run? I have a 4x2x6 grow tent.
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By the way @Seeddog those look great.
Hate to fire off some hair brain questions but do you guys run the smart pots? Are they prone to leaking? Water temp problems? I believe auto pots are for bottom feeding, can they be setup to top feed? Do you have troubles with salt build up? Sorry I’m a newbie.
Fire away !!! That’s how we learn . If you have a busy schedule and can’t tend to the plants every day , these work great . I have the same size tent and I have two 3.9 gallon pots running now . I found that two plants fit perfect in a 2x4x6 . I have not used the smart pots but I think others here on the forum have and maybe be able to help you there . I’ve never had any leaks . The plastic trays that the pots set in have a valve that automatically waters the plant from the bottom . The only time you water from the top is when the plant is young and when the roots have grown deep enough you start up the bottom watering . I have never had a problem with salt build up in the valves , and no salt build up in the soil because its bottom fed . Water temp, no problems here . There is minimal maintenance on the system and I only do it for peace of mind . 30 minutes to take apart clean in the kitchen sink and reinstall it . I’m new to these auto pots also and they are really easy once they are up and running . In a couple of weeks I’m getting ready to set up two 2x4 tents with two photo plants in each both scrogged using the auto pots , can’t wait !
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I’m sorry, my tent is 2x4x5 but not much off. @Seeddog did you say you grow in coco? If I buy the 2 pot the way I understand it I can add on, is this correct? Do you run your nuts the same as top feed? I’m a busy person but have 30 mins a day to fool with my plants but there are 1-2 days a week that I’m out of town. That’s why i am looking into the autopots.
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Yes , you can just add more pots later . Coco with hydroton clay balls . I use Advance Nutrients 3 part PH Perfect . Here is some pictures of the first plant I grew , Gold Leaf . One plant scrogged took up almost the whole tent . 
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Impressive…thanks for the info.
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I would run two 5 gallon pots in a 2x4 tent pretty easily
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@Seeddog @TDubWilly well I ordered the two smart pot setup with airdomes and clay pebbles so I’m sure I’ll be having questions.
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I think you will be very happy with those and when ready just shout .
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I’m no pro but I’m on my second grow with autopots. My schedule is similar to yours, so I needed something low maintenance for when I was going to be out of town.
In my first grow with them there were certainly some growing pains but now I’m at a point where I’m really liking them.
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Autopots look very cool, but the expense is hard to swallow.
I admit a chiller etc. can add up fast with standard hydro, but $200 for a bit of plastic tube and pots seems excessive to me. In my case I have short easy access to water for RO so no issue here. Guessing I pay a more to run pumps and chiller too with the risk of outages being a bit more severe. Another con to DWC.
None the less, I think I will wait until I can build the Autopot or they come down to a cost point that doesn’t make me laugh.
I agree they’re a bit expensive for what they really are. If I were to do it over again I would probably just buy the trays and valves, which would be around $80 for two trays, two valves and two pots, and make a reservoir out of a trash can or something.
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